Paddle-type ice dispenser

ABSTRACT

An ice dispenser for delivering a predetermined quantity of ice per unit time as determined by the speed of rotation of a delivery motor in which a paddle wheel driven by the motor is mounted for rotary movement in a housing adjacent to the outlet of an ice maker storage chamber having an agitator therein so that upon concomitant rotation of the paddle wheel and the agitator the paddle wheel receives ice from the agitator and carries it to an outlet through which it passes to a cup or the like.

United States Patent 1 Nitschneider et al.

[ 51 July 10, 1973 PADDLE-TYPE ICE DISPENSER [75] Inventors: Robert M. Nitschneider, Cary;

, Charles G. Neumann, Palatine, both of I11.

[73] Assignee: Reynolds Products, Inc.,

Schaumburg, Ill.

[22} Filed: Sept. 13, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 180,016

[52] US. Cl 222/238, 62/354, 222/272 [51] Int. Cl. G0lf 11/20 [58 Field of Search 62/354 X; 222/216, 222/238, 236, 271, 272, 342, 367, 368, 354, 410

[56] I 1 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1968 Stencil 222/236 7/1949 Erickson 222/368 Werner et a1 222/367 X 2,881,956 1 4/1959 Buerre 222/272 X 3,496,734 2/1970 Schumacher Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Larry Martin Att0rneyShenier and OConnor 57 ABSTRACT An ice dispenser for delivering a predetermined quantity of ice per unit time as determined by the speed of rotation of a delivery motor in which a paddle wheel driven by the motor is mounted for rotary movement in a housing adjacent to the outlet of an ice maker storage chamber having an agitator therein so that upon concomitant rotation of the paddle wheel and theagita tor the paddle wheel receives ice'from the agitator and carries it to an outlet through which it passes to a cup or the like.

11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENIED JUL 1 0 1915 SHEET 1 [IF 2 1 V NTOR Robe/"7 M/V/ sine/(jar Char/es 6. Newman RTTORNEYS PADDLE-TYPE ICE DISPENSER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are known in the prior art systems for dispensing beverages in response to the operation of a handle or the like. The quantity of beverage dispensed in operation of a system of this type is determined by the period of time for which the operating element is actuated. That is to say the mechanism may be used to dispense large drinks, medium size drinks and small drinks. It is desirable that a mechanism of this type be supplied with some means for adding ice to the drink. In the prior art the operator generally adds ice to the drink by means of a scoop or the like. He first scoops a quantity of ice into the cup and then actuates the operating element to deliver the beverage into the cup.

It is desirable that ice be added to the drink as it is dispersed. The co-pendi'ng application of Charles G. Neumann, Ser. No. 180,006 filed Sept. 13, 1971, discloses a Remote Drink Dispenser for concomitantly delivering beverage components and ice to a cup or the like. Not only is it desirable that the operation of selectively supplying-a drink with ice be automated but also it is desirable that the quantity of ice 'bear a predetermined relationship to the amount of beverage delivered. That is to say, the ideal drink has a predetermined proportion of ice therein whether it be a large drink, a medium size drink or a smalldrink. U.S. Pat. No. 3,196,628, issued July 27, 1965, to Donald S. Reynolds, discloses an ice-making and dispensing machine including a cylindrical freezing chamber the interior of which is supplied with water. An auger mounted for rotary movement within the chamber is adapted to scrape ice off the chamber wall and advance it upwardly toward an extruding die from which rods of ice emerge. A cutter carried by the auger shaft breaks the ice up into chunks and it advances upwardly into a storage chamber. An agitator element in the storage chamber is driven by the auger shaft. In order to dispense ice from this machine a solenoid operated door in the side of the storage chamber opens and the agitator is driven to force ice out of the storagechamber. The speed at which the auger shaft is driven is govemed by the icemaking capabilities of the ice maker. Moreover the amount of ice which is delivered by the ice maker when the delivery door is open is determined by the speed of the auger shaft and by the size of the delivery opening. While this ice maker might be used to deliver ice directly to a cup with the beverage, it would not be in the proper desired proportion to the rate of flow of drink into the cup.

We have invented an ice-dispensing mechanism which overcomes the difficulties of ice-dispensing mechanisms of the prior art. Our ice-dispensing mechanism delivers a predetermined quantity of ice per unit time. It is adapted for use with an existing ice maker. It is relatively simple in construction and in operation for the result achieved thereby. Our construction is such as to prevent backflow of warm air into the ice maker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of our invention is to provide an icedispensing mechanism which delivers a predetermined quantity of ice per unit time.

' Another object of our invention is to provide an icedelivery mechanism which delivers a quantity of ice in a predetermined ratio to the amount of beverage being dispensed in a drink-dispensing machine.

A further object of our invention is to provide an icedispensing mechanism which is adapted for use with an existing ice maker.

A further object of our invention is to provide an icedispensing mechanism which prevents backflow of warm air into the ice maker with which it is used.

Still another object of our invention is to provide an ice-dispensing mechanism which is simple in construction and in operation for the result achieved thereby.

Other and further objects of our invention will appear from the following description.

In general our invention contemplates provision of a paddle-type ice-dispensing mechanism in which a pad dle is mounted for rotary movement in a housing adjacent the outlet of an ice maker storage chamber having is carried by the paddle wheel to an outlet at a rate determined by the speed of a delivery motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings to which reference is made in the instant specification and in which like character references are used to identify like parts in the various views: I

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an existing ice maker provided with our paddle-type ice-dispensing mechamsm.

FIG. 2 is an elevation of our paddle-type ice dis penser with parts broken away and withother parts shown in section.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of our paddle-type ice dispenser taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale of the tip of one of the paddle wheel blades of our paddle type ice dispenser.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of our paddle-type ice dispenser.

FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic view of one form of electrical control circuit which may be used with our paddle-type ice dispenser.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT closed in the Reynolds patent comprises a cylindrical freezing chamber 12 provided with an insulating cover. An auger 16 located within the chamber 12 is carried by a shaft 18 which is driven by a drive motor and transmission 20. The upper end of shaft 18 has an extension 22 passing through an extruding die 24 and carrying a cutter 26. As is pointed out more fully in the Reynolds patent, water supplied to the interior of the freezing chamber 12 freezes on the wall thereof. Auger l6 scrapes ice off the chamber and advances it axially upwardly and through the die 24 to permit cutter 26 to cut the extruded rods into chunks of ice. These chunks advance upwardly into astorage chamber 28 the top of the ice maker.

The upper end shaft extension 22 carries an auger hub 30 from which .arms 32 extend radially outwardly and downwardly so that when shaft 18 is driven the arms 32 stir up the ice to prevent it from forming into a solid mass. The upper end of the chamber 28 is provided with a flexible top 34 for operating a full switch 36 to prevent the ice maker from being operated when the chamber 28 is full.

Chamber 28 is provided with a wall opening 38 through which ice chunks are forced outwardly upon the rotation of the agitator arms 32 in'a manner to be described. We mount our ice-delivery mechanism indicated generally by the reference character 40 adjacent to the wall opening 38.

Our delivery mechanism 40 includes a housing 42 formed from aluminum or the like and provided with an insulating cover. Housing 42 forms a generally cylindrical chamber 43 over a base 44. Flanges 46 on the housing 42 are provided with slots 48 for receiving screws 50 by means of which the mechanism 40 is attached to the wall of the storage housing 28.

A gasket 52 and a top plate 54 are secured over the top of the housing 42 by any suitable means such, for example, as by screws 56. A gear box 58 attached to the top'of the upper cover plate 54 receives its input from a drive motor 60. The output shaft 62 of the gear box 58 extends downwardly through the top plate 54 and the gasket 52. A pin 66 on the shaft 62 engages in slots 68 in an insert 70 in the center of the paddle wheel 64. Upon rotation of shaft 62 paddle wheel 64 .is driven.

In the particular embodiment of the paddle wheel 64 illustrated in the drawings there are five blades 72 provided. Moreover we form the tip of each blade with a reduced thickness section and arrange the radial length of each blade such that the tip 74 wipes the wall of the chamber 43. In this manner we prevent water from collecting on the inside surface of the chamber 43. We form the base 44 of the chamber 43 with an opening 78 leading to a discharge tube 80. Discharge tube 80 may, for example, be positioned at such a location that ice delivered by our mechanism will fall directly into a cup into which a beverage is being dispensed. It is to be noted that the number of blades 72 on the paddle wheel 64 and location of opening 78 with relation to opening 38 is such that in any position of the paddle wheel no path is provided for the flow of warm air backwardly from opening 78 into the storage chamber 28.

In the form of our delivery mechanism 40 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 the arrangement is such that the shaft 30 carrying the agitators 32 rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the shaft 62 carrying the paddle wheel 64. This is the relative direction of rotation we employ for normal ice delivery. The drive motor 60 preferably is an alternating current motor having a speed so selected as to cause the paddle wheel to deliver the proper amount of ice per unit time required with the correction proportion of ice to drink. Alternatively we may employ a direct current motor having a speed control thereon to permit the operator to vary the amount'of ice delivered per unit time.

Referring to FIG. we have shown an alternate embodimcnt of our ice delivery mechanism indicated generally by the reference character 82. This form of our delivery mechanism includes a chamber 84 having a different configuration than that of chamber 43 so as to provide a space 86 into which ice chunks are delivered by the agitators 32. Moreover in this form of our invention the shaft 62 rotates in the same direction as does the shaft 30. By synchronizing the speed of the paddle wheel with that of the agitator we are able to obtain a higher delivery rate for ice than in the form of our invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4. At the same time the blades 72 prevent any back flow of warm air and also serve to wipe water off the wall of the chamber in which the paddle wheel rotates.

Referring now'to FIG. 6 one form of control circuit which may be used to control the operation of our ice delivery mechanism includes respective conductors 88 and 90 leading to a suitable source of electrical power. A relay switch R1 in one position thereof connects the auger motor 94 of the ice maker 10 in parallel with the compressor 92 of the ice maker. The full switch 36 is adapted to connect the parallel connected motors 92 maker to make ice. When the storage-chamber 28 is I full switch 36 opens to de-energize the two motors.

A relay winding R connected between conductors 88 and 90 by a push-button switch or the like PB is adapted to be energized upon actuation of the pushbutton switch to move switch R1 to a second position and to close switch R2 concomitantly to energize the auger motor 94 and the dispenser drive motor 60 to cause the agitators to rotate and cause the paddle wheel 64 to rotate to cause our dispenser to deliver ice.

In operation of our ice-dispensing mechanism the ice maker 10 will continue to make ice so long as the switch 36 remains closed and will stop when switch 36 opens indicating that the chamber 28 is full. To cause ice to be dispensed the push-button PB is actuated to energize relay R to connect the two motors 94 and 60 in parallel between the two conductors 88 and 90. So long as the push-button is held closed both the paddle wheel 64 and the agitators 32 rotate to cause the paddle wheel to receive ice from the chamber 28 and carry it to the delivery opening 78. Moreover the speed of the shaft 62 which is governed by the speed of the drive motor and the ratio in the gear box 58 is so selected that the amount of ice delivered per unit time bears a predetermined relationship to the motor speed. This speed is so selected that-the amount of ice delivered will be in a predetermined proportion, for example, to the amount of drink being dispensed. In the form of the ice delivery system illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 the normal delivery rate is provided. In the form of the mechanism shown in FIG. 5 a higher delivery rate is provided.

It will be seen that we have accomplished the objects of our invention. We have provided an ice-delivery system which delivers ice at a predetermined rate. It is so arranged as to deliver the proper amount of ice in proportion to the amount of 'drink being dispensed. It is so constructed as to prevent backflow of warm air into the ice maker with which it is used. It is adapted for use with an existing ice maker. It is simple in construction and in operation for the result achieved thereby.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of our claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the spirit of our invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that our invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim 1. Apparatus for storing ice and for delivering ice at a predetermined rate including in combination, a storage container having an opening in the side wall thereof vertical axis, means for driving said agitator to urge ice to move from said container through said container 7 wall opening into said housing, and means for driving said paddle wheel to move ice from said inlet openin to said outlet opening. i 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said paddle wheel provides a seal between said inlet opening and said outlet opening in all positions'of the member.

3. Apparatus as in claim I in which said paddle wheel comprises blades having tips in wiping engagement with said surface.

comprises a blade in :wiping engagement with said chamber wall.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said paddle wheel drive means comprises an electric motor mechanically independent of the agitator drive means.

' 5. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said paddle whee drive means drives said paddle wheel in the same direction as the direction of movement of said agitator.

6. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said paddle wheel drive means drives said paddle wheel in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said agitator. 1 Apparatus as in claim 4 in which said paddle wheel 8. Apparatus as in claim 7 in which said blade tips are resilient;

9. Apparatus as in claim 8 in whichthe. location of said outlet opening relative to said inlet opening is such that said blade tips provide a :seal between said inlet and outletopenings.

. l0. Apparatusas in claim 9 in which said blade tips I are of reduced thickness.

11;. Ice making and delivery apparatus for de livering ice at. a predetermined rate including in combination,

a storage container having an openingin the side wall thereof adjacent to the bottom thereof, a first shaft, a first motor for rotating said first shaft, means including said first motor and said first shaft for delivering chunks of ice to said container, said first shaft extending into said container, an agitator in said container carried by said first shaft for rotation adjacent to said wall opening to move-ice chunks therethrough in response to rotation of said first shaft, a housing forming a generally vertical chamber with a generally cylindrical side wall having an inlet opening therein, said housing having a bottom formed with a discharge opening at a location remote from said inlet opening, means mounting said housing on said. container adjacent to the bottom thereof with said inlet opening communicating with said container wall opening a paddlewheel, means including a secondshaft mounting said paddle wheeltin said housing'fo'r rotary movement about a generally vertical axis, a second motor for, driving saidsecond shaft, and means for energizing saidmotors. 

1. Apparatus for storing ice and for delivering ice at a predetermined rate including in combination, a storage container having an opening in the side wall thereof adjacent to the bottom thereof, an agitator in said storage container, a housing forming a generally vertical chamber with a generally cylindrical side wall having an inlet opening therein, means mounting said housing on said container adjacent to the bottom thereof with said inlet opening communicating with said container wall opening, an outlet opening in the base of said housing at a location remote from said inlet opening, a paddle wheel, means mounting said paddle wheel in said housing for rotary movement about a generally vertical axis, means for driving said agitator to urge ice to move from said container through said container wall opening into said housing, and means for driving said paddle wheel to move ice from said inlet opening to said outlet opening.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said paddle wheel provides a seal between said inlet opening and said outlet opening in all positions of the member.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said paddle wheel comprises a blade in wiping engagement with said chamber wall.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said paddle wheEl drive means comprises an electric motor mechanically independent of the agitator drive means.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said paddle wheel drive means drives said paddle wheel in the same direction as the direction of movement of said agitator.
 6. Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said paddle wheel drive means drives said paddle wheel in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said agitator.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 4 in which said paddle wheel comprises blades having tips in wiping engagement with said surface.
 8. Apparatus as in claim 7 in which said blade tips are resilient.
 9. Apparatus as in claim 8 in which the location of said outlet opening relative to said inlet opening is such that said blade tips provide a seal between said inlet and outlet openings.
 10. Apparatus as in claim 9 in which said blade tips are of reduced thickness.
 11. Ice making and delivery apparatus for delivering ice at a predetermined rate including in combination, a storage container having an opening in the side wall thereof adjacent to the bottom thereof, a first shaft, a first motor for rotating said first shaft, means including said first motor and said first shaft for delivering chunks of ice to said container, said first shaft extending into said container, an agitator in said container carried by said first shaft for rotation adjacent to said wall opening to move ice chunks therethrough in response to rotation of said first shaft, a housing forming a generally vertical chamber with a generally cylindrical side wall having an inlet opening therein, said housing having a bottom formed with a discharge opening at a location remote from said inlet opening, means mounting said housing on said container adjacent to the bottom thereof with said inlet opening communicating with said container wall opening, a paddle wheel, means including a second shaft mounting said paddle wheel in said housing for rotary movement about a generally vertical axis, a second motor for driving said second shaft, and means for energizing said motors. 